11-2007 HO vs N scales (an update please)

The one good thing I see about N is that it is a scale that is keeping the hobby alive to some extent. As stated above, I am an "HO" guy. But I really love the enthusiasm of the N scalers. In the DC area, especially in Northern VA, the N scale module clubs seem to be the guys (majority) going out and showing the public the hobby. HO clubs do get out here, I am not discounting their contribution.

But over the last 10 years, it seems to be more N scalers. The stationary clubs seem to be more HO here and the module clubs N scale.

I live in Loudoun County, VA and I wish there was an HO club here. Now that my kids are finished and finishing college, I have the time and would join one.

 

Wow, heaps of N scale replies. I admit when I first saw N scale many years ago I was unimpressed, it looked toy-like and the track looked wrong. But now N scale has really come of age I recently changed from HO to N and couldn't be happier building an N scale empire in our spare room.

GO N SCALE MAN! Enjoy!

 

Very true! Just look at Jerry's (OCEngineerJD) beutiful picture and you can see what N has to offer now. You really can't tell in a photo if it is N scale anymore with all the fine quality products being released.

 

Pray59,

How does Z do with 4+ locos and 40 to 50+ cars?
How does Z do with Switching? If that is the term? Freight cars loading/connecting for delivery? Branch line service?

1/4 of fun to me will be just running a large train on a decently large circuit.
1/4 will be model building/Scenery.
1/4 will be switching if that is the right term.
1/4 will be having a quiet place to myself!

Peace and Blessings

 

This is what is such a pain! I am a little bit of a control freak. I do not have a ton of money. So I want to make the right decision. Not drop $500 and find I went in the wrong direction.

N scenery sounds a little better.
HO modeling sounds a little better.
Switching sounds like a significant part of the fun. HO sounds like it may make this a bit easier, but N makes it sound like I will be able to have more of it in any space.

So that is what I really have to find out. Who has done a significant amount of switching in HO and N, and recently, and what they prefer?

As you observed, I am leaning towards N. But only because of what I have learned. Trying to keep my preconceived notions out of it.

Thanks
Peace and Blessings

 

I tend to reply before I continue on to the next post. But I should have read your post for N v/s HO switching.

Thanks.
Peace and Blessings

 

Thanks for the welcome!

"Why not?" Sanity mostly?

I have no idea on the time frame/era. That is something I have not touched yet as I have not run into a lot on that topic as I have searched out the Scale decision as yet. I know I have to decide sooner or later, but that part is lagging still. Part of that decision will be based upon modeling. I am leaning towards a 70's theme. Building, vehicle, and other theme availability and cost will dictate much of that.

I think it is great that people are able to model a 'site'. But I have no idea what that might be.

At a minimum (and with my newbie terminology), I would like two long runs, two (east and west) working yards for sorting/switching and other yard maintainence activities. That is probably all I can do for my first layout.

I'll leave the grades and helix and such for latter. And that just brings up more questions.

Thanks.
Peace and Blessings

 

Thanks. I was actually looking at that last night. Louisville KY? 12 hour drive. Not too much. We are a driving family. 1 day is easy. But that is in June? 7 months away... I will have gnawed my arm off in apprehension and anxiety in that much time.

Peace and Blessings

 

Those photos are excellent. In that I can not tell HO or N. Not my skill level anyway. But that is also the down side. I see all sorts of pictures on line and most of the time I would not be able to tell what scale it was done in!

Peace and Blessings

 

Do you have anything in either scale yet? When I started getting into N scale I just bought a few cars and a good running Kato loco along with a couple strips of flex track just to have something to compare to my HO equipment. Maybe you could do something like that and take it into your proposed train room to see first hand how each scale looks and feels in the room. You can always sell the equipment from the scale you are not using. Looking forward to seeing all the N scalers in my hometown!!!

 

Being one who models in "the other" scale O scale 2 rail Proto 48 Far be it for me to give advice on N or HO (Which is what I use to model in). To my way of thinking what scale is the third or fourth question to ask. The first question to ask is What do you want to do with model trains? What railroad captures your and your children's intrest? The answers to these two questions will influence your decisions on other questions. O.K. That being said, As others have stated N scale shines in the scenery department hands down. Detail wise is it's weakest point (Way over Scale) and as far as running goes DCC seems to be the great equlizer. All most all models run jerky under 4 scale miles per hour. That's where switching cars is, Ask any car knocker anything over 4 mph is an accident. Now HO is better at detial but takes up more room and is a little more delicate for small hands and takes up more real estate. Sound is better as a rule and a plethra of items to choose from. I would sugest you get as much hands on with all your choiches. Pick up one each of cheap N and HO train sets and let the kids have at it, you will know very quicky which one is going to work the best. As for you only you can make that choich, I hope I have illuminated this subject to some dreegre and not muddied the waters futher in your quest to get the best for you and your family. In closeing I hope you do not loose sight of the foundation that this hobby is built upon. Model Railroading Is FUN!

"Still Training After All These Years"

 

Macattack1,

I take it you have been to a scenic or a shortline railway. If not, find one in your area and go. If you can find more than one, then go to as many as you can. This will allow you to focus on something when you "experience" it. I am sure you have a memory that you would love to experience that moment again to its fullest. This is an opportunity to do that. Whether it is a particular part of a railroad, a very interesting building you see when you go somewhere, a ball field you played at as a kid, a tree or a swimming hole from summer camp, etc... You get the idea. Find something to focus on and go from there.

I live near Strasburg Railroad in Southeastern PA, and everytime I go, I enjoy it more. It took me 20 years to get back there from the last time I was there, but when I re-experienced it recently, it was just as fun as when I was a kid and went with my father. So on my layout, I am going to take as much as I can of that railroad, and model it, so I can remember those experiences even more. It might start out being just their rail yard, but I may add a few more details from there, like an Amish horse and buggy, a local landmark or one of the local stables.

The point is (I am not trying to be preachy, sorry if I sound like it), find something you like and go with it and most importantly, enjoy it. Everything in the world has pros and cons, you just have to find your own way to make the cons not so "con-ish", but make them unique.

It took me three weeks (and driving my wife nuts over those three weeks - sorry honey!) to decide on N-scale. It was the best possible choice for me. And you'll figure out the scale that is right for you. Just enjoy it!

Nut

 

That is where I run into some problems.

I do not have the 'space' as yet. Not till the end of the month. Then I have the rest of the house to set up. I guess the kids can sleep on the floor and keep their clothing in moving boxes for a year or two until I have the track done.

Part of the challenge is that I have money to put into this, but not to test out $100 locomotives and such here and there. I am a stay at home dad right now and my wife is a social worker. FYI - Social work is a vow of poverty.

I know I can buy used and I can resell what I do not use. But as stated I am a little bit of a control freak when it comes to this kind of thing. Eg. Spending good money on something. I see these $100 to $300 price tags on locos and I get a little anxious. I want to get it right the first time.

I know it would be wise to spend some $ now in testing out HO v/s N. But it seems like that would be like $250 to test them out. That is sizable cash to me. And that leads to the next concern.

I don't know what I am buying quality wise or needs/nice to haves and such. It sounds like good magnetic couplers that are not truck mounted is the way to go. But that is where my current knowledge kind of ends so it is very New to me.

I can buy new but those prices! I can buy used but I have no idea what I am getting myself into with that.

It will all work out in the end. I will learn. Make some mistakes. Break a few things. I am just trying to lessen the negatives and maximize the positives. As if I have any control over it!

All suggestions on how to get around my hangups and gently enter the unknown depths are welcome and much appreciated! Love to hear about the mistakes people made and the wasted time and money.

Thanks
Peace and Blessings

 

Hey mac,

Don't fret. Life is all about learning from mistakes. And nobody wants to spend money on something when they are not sure of it.

Here is a suggestion, and I will be doing the for my N scale items, just to get them rolling agin. Get a hollow core door, they only run about $20 or so. Buy some a smal starter set, maybe a few turnouts, set it up and you can decide from there. You'll probably run anywhere from $100 to $200 that way, depending on how much extra track you buy.

Kick that idea around for a while, you may decide it is worth it, just to test the waters.

Nut

 

Thanks Lee,

I think I will be OK with the Detail weakness of N scale. Though, it does not look like it is anywhere near as bad as it used to be.

The <4 scale mph challenge is not a surprise, but kind of a bummer to hear. HO and N scale about the same in this?

You got me thinking more. Walthers has in their catalog this month some sets. Maybe I will look around and find an N and HO Thomas Train set. Can't go wrong with Thomas! Not for my 6 year old anyway.

As I look at the catalog as I type I see that they are HO sets. Maybe I can find an N scale somewhere also.

Thanks
Peace and Blessings